Sport and Fitness in North Shields

North Shields has plenty for anyone wanting to keep active, from a council swimming pool and leisure centres to a proud non-league football club and watersports on the river. Whether you fancy a swim, a run, a game or a session in the gym, here is our guide to sport and fitness in the town.

Swimming and leisure centres

Confusingly named but firmly in North Shields, Tynemouth Pool on Preston Road North (NE29 9PX) is the town's council swimming pool, with a main pool, a learner pool, a Contours gym and a health suite. For dry sport, The Parks Sports Centre on Howdon Road (NE29 6TL) has a gym, exercise studios, a sports hall, artificial pitches, soft play and bowling greens, though no pool. Both are run by North Tyneside Council.

Football: the Robins at Wembley

North Shields' best-known sporting name is North Shields F.C., the Robins, who play at the Daren Persson Stadium at Ralph Gardner Park (NE29 0SS) in the Northern League. The club's proudest moment came in 2015, when they won the FA Vase at Wembley, beating Glossop North End 2-1 after extra time in front of thousands of travelling fans. A Saturday afternoon at the ground is a proper slice of grassroots football, and the club also supports junior and grassroots teams in the town.

Running and parkrun

North Shields itself does not have a parkrun, but there are two free, weekly, timed 5k runs within easy reach: Rising Sun parkrun at the Rising Sun Country Park (Benton) and Whitley Bay parkrun on the Links, both on Saturday mornings. The Fish Quay riverside path and Northumberland Park also make good running loops closer to home.

Cricket, rugby and bowls

The town has strong grassroots clubs. Percy Main Cricket & Sports Club on St John's Green (NE29 6HS), formed back in 1860, plays in the Northumberland and Tyneside League, while North Shields RFC fields rugby teams in the regional leagues. For a gentler game, there are bowling greens in Northumberland Park.

On the water

For watersports, Royal Quays Marina on the west side of the town is a five-anchor marina and boating hub on the old Albert Edward Dock, a genuine North Shields spot for anyone into sailing and boats. (The area's rowing club, incidentally, is based a little further along the coast at Prior's Haven in Tynemouth.)

Gyms

Alongside the council gyms at Tynemouth Pool and The Parks, North Shields has commercial and independent gyms, including a branch of JD Gyms, so there are options whatever your budget or preferred style of training.

Keeping active outdoors

For free ways to stay active, it is hard to beat the town's own scenery. See our guide to parks, green spaces and walks in North Shields for the riverside paths, Northumberland Park and the Waggonways, all good for walking, running and cycling.